The bill amends various sections of the Idaho Code concerning the Department of Health and Welfare, focusing on restructuring and clarifying departmental roles. It repeals Section 56-1005, which relates to the Board of Health and Welfare, and modifies Section 56-1006 to ensure that references to the "board of health" will now refer to the Department of Health and Welfare. The bill also maintains existing rules from the board until they are amended or repealed by the department, removes provisions regarding substate administrative regions and regional behavioral health boards, and updates the process for appointing the Director of the Department of Health and Welfare, now requiring the governor's appointment with senate consent. Additionally, it designates the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare as the state mental health authority and state substance use disorder authority.

In further amendments, the bill expands the planning council's membership to include public and private entities involved in mental health and substance use services, while eliminating references to regional behavioral health boards. It establishes terms of service for council members, allows for subcommittees, and mandates coordination of services between regional behavioral health centers and state psychiatric hospitals by the director of the Department of Health and Welfare. The bill outlines the responsibilities of the division administrator for regional behavioral health centers, detailing the required services they must provide, such as treatment for individuals without benefits and court-ordered mental health treatment. Several sections of the Idaho Code are repealed to streamline the legal framework for behavioral health services, and an emergency clause is included for immediate effect upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 56-1001, 56-1002, 56-1005, 56-1006, 59-904, 39-3123, 39-3124, 39-3125, 39-3127, 39-3129, 39-3131, 39-3132, 39-3133, 39-3134, 39-3135